"That's the new defender of the city."
"He's quite young."
"Are we going to see a transcendent fight?"
The hall rippled with whispers, spreading outward from the center in every direction as the crowd shifted and repositioned, people stepping sideways to get a better line of sight, the conversations from a moment ago forgotten entirely. Young talents from every faction in the room had their eyes fixed on the two figures now occupying the open floor.
Leon walked toward Badur at a steady pace, white robe clean, steps even, the killing intent that had preceded him settling into something quieter and more contained as he closed the distance. His face was calm in the way a held breath is calm.
Badur watched him come with the smile already in place.
"You came out." He tilted his head slightly. "Well, that's bold. Aren't you afraid I'll take something more precious to you again?"
